O'Meara a chance of Hawks return this year

Hawthorn recruit Jaeger O'Meara could be back in the AFL this season, coach Alastair Clarkson says.

The Hawks remain only a mathematical chance of making the finals, with their 27-point win over North Melbourne in Launceston on Sunday leaving them six points shy of the top eight with two matches remaining.

O'Meara, who has battled injury problems all year, played 70 minutes in a strong showing for the club's VFL side Box Hill at the weekend.

"He didn't play the last quarter which was unfortunate," Clarkson said.

"From all reports, he has just got a bit of soreness around having not played for a long period of time."

Clarkson said the 23-year-old, who moved from the Gold Coast Suns after the 2016 season, would come into selection calculations for Saturday night's match again Carlton.